Manifolding device



Jan. 3, 1939. 2 W E MC|NTQSH 2,142,323

MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 10, v 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 13,1939. W.E. MCINTOSH I 2,

MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed F'eb; 10, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w /ji I a i? 76 J7 wmw W Jan. 3, 1939. ,w. E. M INTOSH MANIFOLDING DEVICE s .Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Feb. 10, 1936 Ill) all)

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MANIFOLDING DEVICE Application February 10, 1936, Serial No. 63,058

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in manifolding devices, and more particularly to such devices which are of a portable nature or adapted to be held in the hand during entry of sales and similar inscriptions and to make one or more carbon copies of such record.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a manifolding device of the class mentioned constructed and arranged in a novel manner so as to house and protect the record and transfer supplies and to provide an improved means for holding the supplies in operative position, so that clear and legible records may be made.

A further object is to provide an improved means in manifolding devices of the class mentioned, whereby the record supplies either in the form of long, continuous zigzag folded record strips or in the form of supply pads of single or folded sheets, are held in operative position and 1 readily released and extended into operative inscription position, as successive leaves are inscribed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telescoping structure for manifolding devices of the class mentioned, wherein the telescoping sections are urged towards each other by gravity or similar means so as to yieldingly grip and hold the record and carbon supplies in correct position, and producing, moreover, a manifolding device which is easily handled and is neat and compact in appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manifolding device of the class mentioned having an improved arrangement for housing and protecting the supplies and for maintaining them in correct operative position during the different stages of consumption thereof.

Still another object is to provide, in a manifolding device of the class mentioned, an improved arrangement for supporting the carbon or transfer sheets in operative position and providing for their insertion and removal.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of certain illustrative but preferred embodiments of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connection therewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is had to the sub-joined, detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention, and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a portable manifolding device or sales record book constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the device shown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the same;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one form of holder for the carbon or transfer sheet and for a combined writing platen and sales record summary sheet;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another form of carbon sheet holder;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the improved manifolding device;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section of the modified form of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view thereof Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section through the carbon supply compartment shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 10 is a plan view similar to Fig. 6, but showing a further modified form of the improved manifolding device;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken through the device shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical transverse section thereof; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of record paper supp-1y adapted for use in the improved manifolding device.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention, and first to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the improved manifolding device includes a supporting base l5 which may assume different forms in practice but is herein disclosed in the form of a block or similar polyhedral body. This supporting base may be in the form of a block of wood or other material as shown, or it may be constructed of sheet metal. Attached to the upper surface of the base is a metallic plate l6 held in position by screws or similar fastening means and having at its opposite ends projecting lugs or ledges I1. This plate forms a rest or support for the record supply pad A.

superposed upon the supporting base I5 and operatively connected thereto, is the margin frame l8. This margin frame may be constructed of metal or other preferred material and has side walls l9 and end walls 20. The end walls 20 are formed with inwardly disposed, inwardly extending upper flanges or ledges 2| and similar lower flanges or ledges 22. It is preferred that the base ll) be telescopically connected to the margin frame l8 and for this purpose the under side of the margin frame is formed with an opening 23 in which the base I5 is received. By means of this construction the base and margin frame are guided in their movements toward and away from each other. Since the lugs ll of the base are positioned directly over the ledges 22 of the margin frame, movements of the base and frame away from each other will be limited by cooperation of these elements and the base and frame will be retained thereby in their assembled operative relation.

As will be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the record supply pad A normally rests upon the upper surface of the base H5 or upon the plate l6 thereof and has one or both of its end marginal portions overlying the ledges or flanges 2| of the end frame members 20. In Fig. 2 the record supply pad is shown as underlying both end flanges 2|, whereby said flanges rest by gravity upon the end portions of the pad so as to retain said pad in its fiat, operative position preventing the leaves thereof from becoming loose prematurely. It will be observed that the margin frame 18 is provided at its upper surface with a writing opening 24 disposed between the inner edges of the end flanges 2| and the upper edges of the side walls 9. The upper record surface of the top leaf of the record supply pad is thus exposed through this opening for receiving inscriptions which may be written thereon by a pencil or other suitable writing implement.

Transfer material in the form of a transfer sheet 25 is preferably supported in position for interleavement in transfer position between the upper or original record leaf A and the next adjacent or duplicate copy record leaf A as shown in Fig. 2. In this manner an inscription made upon the original leaf is transferred to the copy leaf. A transfer sheet support 26, shown in the form of a sheet of relatively heavy paper or manila, is inserted upon the base I5 and between the latter and the record supply pad A so as to be held in operative position. The transfer leaf' 25 is attached to one end of this support and passes upwardly along the end of. the record supply pad into operative position above the record pad, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

At the opposite end of the transfer sheet support 26 from the attachment of the carbon leaf 25, a summary sales record sheet 21 is attached by attaching means 28. This summary sheet is preferably also made of a relatively heavy paper or manila and is positioned to overlie the top surface of the record pad A, thus providing a firm rest and writing surface or platen upon which the record leaves rest during inscription reception. As shown, it is convenient that this platen and record summary sheet be formed as an integral extension of the transfer sheet, support 26.

Instead of being supported as shown in Fig. 4, the transfer sheet may be alternately arranged as shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment the transfer sheet 25a is attached to the transfer sheet support 26a so as to extend or fly from the lateral edge thereof instead of from the end, as in the embodiment of Fig. 4. The transfer sheet 25a will thus be inserted at the longitudinal edges of the record sheets rather than from the 7 end edges. Otherwise the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 5 is the same as that of Fig. 4.

While the improved record device is adapted for using different forms of record supplies, such as pads of single record sheets, or of sheets folded once transversely, a convenient type of record supply is the continuous zigzag folded type as shown in Fig. 2, in which the continuous record strip is transversely folded in reverse directions at form length intervals. Also a convenient form of record supply is illustrated in fragmentary form in Fig. 13. In this form of supply, the continuous record strip B is transversely zigzag folded at form length intervals, as the record pad of Fig. 2, but in this form, additional record leaves, such as the leaf B, are attached as by being pasted at one end thereof at B to the other leaves. Each of these additional record leaves may be perforated or otherwise weakened as shown in B whereby it may be readily detached. Thus it will be seen that one of these additional leaves B may be attached adjacent to each pair of two leaves of the record strip B, so as to provide triplicate sets of record leaves. In a similar manner, the additional leaves B may be attached to the record strip B so as to provide duplicate or quadruplicate sets of record leaves, or to provide a greater number of record leaves in each set if desired. Each of the additional leaves B may be positioned in its set of leaves so as to form the original leaf of the set or to form one of the copy leaves thereof. Furthermore, each of the leaves of each set may bear serial numbers B whereby the leaves of each set, after being inscribed, may readily be identified with its individual set, the sets being thus serially numbered, as will be understood.

When the record supply pad and the carbon transfer sheet are placed in position between the base [5 and the margin frame l8, as shown in Fig. 2, an inscription may be written upon the original leaf A which is transferred to the copy or duplicate leaf A the combined platen and summary sheet 21, functioning as a writing surface so as to assure perfect transfer inscription and clear, legible original and duplicate copies. When the parts are thus assembled, the record supply pad and the carbon sheet holder are held in correct position by the weight of the margin frame resting thereon by virtue of the inwardly turned ledges 2| which rest upon the remote end portions of the record supply pad, it being understood that the manifolding device is normally held in the hand by grasping the base block I5, although it will be seen that the inscription may be made when the base rests upon a table or other support. It will be noted that the base has a part or extension positioned outside of and below the margin frame at all stages of consumption of the supply pad. This extending part of the base is exposed at all times to the exterior of the margin frame and forms a hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be held in the hand during use while at the same time the margin frame rests by gravity upon the record supply thus confining and retaining the latter in its operative position. The base or handle block I5 as shown preferably has considerable longitudinal extent in the different embodiments whereby the manifolder and the supply supporting base to which the handle is directly connected are readily stabilized while held in one hand, thus making it possible to make satisfactory inscription entries. Also, by "virtue of .this arrangement the manifolder may be conveniently held in one hand during adjustments of the recrd strips to bring fresh portions into inscription position. At such times the record strip supply is maintained in correct position by way of the margin frame resting upon the upper margin portions of the supply. In the illustra tive embodiments herein disclosed, the elongated handle member or block is commensurate in longitudinal and transverse dimensions with the corresponding dimensions of the supporting base and has a flat lower supporting surface of considerable longitudinal and transverse extent whereby the manifolder rests in stabilized condition upon the hand. When the "inscriptions are completed, the two or more inscribed record leaves may be severed from the pad at the fold line which for this purpose is preferably weakened as at B by being perforated. Thereupon, the next two successive record leaves may :be positioned for inscription reception with the carbon sheet interposed therebetween. .In order to free the record leaves from their gripped or held position beneath the flanges 2!, the .device may be grasped by the margin frame I3 whereupon the base l5 will fall by gravity until the stop lugs l? are checked by engagement with the flanges 22. The upper leaves of the record .pad will then be released, whereupon they may be extended into operative writing position. It will be noted that the leaves of the writing pad will be gripped and held in operative position by cooperation of the ledges 2| at all the different stages of pad consumption, these ledges descending further toward the base as the record leaves of the pad are consumed. The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. :6, 7, 8 and 9 is similar to the embodiment already .described and corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numberswith the addition :of the index a. Therefore, the construction and :operation of this form of the invention will .be clearly understood from the above detailed description. However, in this embodiment :a different arrangement is provided for supporting the carbon transfer material in operative position.

As shown in the drawings of this embodiment, a transfer strip housing 29 is .attached to the margin frame 18 having a compartment in which a transfer strip supply roll 30 is mounted. The transfer strip 3! extends througha slot or ope. ing in the housing into position for interleavement between the record leaves -of the record supply pad A. The housing 29 is preferably provided with a cover 32 hinged at '33 whereby the supply may be renewed or adjusted.

Also, the general arrangement of elements of the embodiment of Figs. 10, '11 and 12 is similar to that of the embodiments previously described and corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals with the addition of the index 1). In this embodiment, the supporting base !5b is formed with end extensions 3% and side extensions or walls 35. These :side and end extensions provide enclosing walls :not only enclosing the base [5b but also enclosing partially at least the margin frame lfib, spaces or pockets 36 being provided in :the base :section for receiving the side walls 19b and end walls 29b of the margin frame. Also the end extensions 3 3 are provided with transfer strip housings 29b in which supply rolls 39b of transfer strip are housed and protected. These Z'housings are also provided with hinged covers 321) and have exit slots through which the transfer strip 3Ib extends into operative transfer position between the record leaves of the supply pad A. The base section I512 with its side and end extensions may be constructed of metal or wood, .or other appropriate material, and the side walls thereof are preferably provided with notches 31 through which the margin frame 182) may be grasped .so as to raise it away from the base into elevated position so as to release the leaves of the record supply pad when it is desired to extend fresh leaves therefrom into operative inscription position.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

.1. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs, including marginal ledges on said base, for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, said base having a part or extension lying at all stages of consumption of the record supply to be exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device and forming an exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use.

2. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame hav ing telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs, including marginal extensions positioned at the upper part of the base, for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, and an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said basethe record supply is engaged and held captive upon telescopic movement of the frame and base toward each other, said base having a part or extension lying at all stages of consumption of therecord supply to be exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device and forming an exteriorhand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use.

3. A manifolding device including a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs, including marginal extensions positioned at the upper part of the base, for limiting the telescopic movements of 'said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, and an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive upon telescopic movement of the frame and base toward each other, said base being in the form of a block having the lower part thereof exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device at all stages of the supply consumption and forming an exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use.

4. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported and a margin frame superposed upon said base and having telescopic connection therewith so as to rise and fall with reference to the base, and gravitatively-resting upon the record supply to confine it in position between the base and margin frame, said margin frame having such confining engagement on said supply only at one or more of the end portions thereof while the side portions of the supply are free of such engagement, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having opposite side walls and opposite end walls whereby said margin frame and said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply protecting both ends and both side walls.

5. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a zig-zag folded record supply may be supported and a margin frame superposed upon said base and having telescopic connection therewith so as to rise and fall with reference to the base, and gravitatively resting upon the latter, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, and spaced overlying ledges on said margin frame positioned only at the ends of the supply and being omitted at the sides thereof and between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive by the weight of the margin frame, said spaced ledges engaging and resting upon the opposite marginal folded portions of the zig-zag folded supply to releasably retain the folds thereof in position.

6. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, and a margin frame superposed upon said base and having telescopic connection therewith so as to rise and fall with reference to the base, and gravitatively resting upon the latter, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said base having a part or extension lying at all stages of consumption of the record supply to be exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device and forming an exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use, and spaced overlying ledges on said margin frame positioned only at the ends of the supply and being omitted at the sides thereof and between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive by the weight of the margin frame when the manifolding device is held in the hand.

'7. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported and a margin frame having loose connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive upon movement of the frame and base toward each other, and a transfer leaf support positioned between said base and margin frame and held in operative position thereby.

8. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported and a margin frame having loose connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive upon movement of the frame and base toward each other, a transfer leaf support positioned between said base and margin frame and held in operative position thereby, and a platen sheet attached to said transfer leaf support and held thereby in operative position over the record supply.

9. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base in the form of a polyhedral body upon which a record supply may be supported and a margin frame superposed upon said base and having telescopic connection therewith so as to rise and fall with reference to the base and gravitatively resting upon the latter, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, and a transfer leaf support positioned between said base and margin frame and held in operative position thereby.

10. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having side and end walls and having an upper opening through which a record surface of said supply is exposed for inscription reception, said frame also having a lower opening for receiving the base, and supporting means on said frame cooperating with said base for limiting telescopic movement thereof and cooperating with the record supply for retaining it in position, said base having a supporting block received in said lower opening for telescopic movements therein and extending to points exterior to the margin frame at all stages of consumption of the supply, said supporting block being elongated so as to provide an elongated exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be held in stabilized condition in the hand during use.

11. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having side and end walls and having an upper opening through which a record surface of said supply is exposed for inscription reception, said frame also having a lower opening in which said base is telescopically received, and upper and lower inwardly disposed ledges on said frame cooperating with said base for limiting telescopic movement thereof and cooperating with the record supply for retaining it in position, said base having outer walls within which the margin frame is telescopically received.

12. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, and a margin frame having side and end walls and having an upper opening through which a record surface of said supply is exposed for inscription reception, said frame also having a lower opening in which said base is telescopically received, said base having outer walls Within which the margin frame is telescopically received.

13. A manifolding device, including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said base having a part or extension lying at all stages of consumption of the record supply to be exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device and forming an exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use, and a carbon strip supply compartment carried by said margin frame.

14. A manifolding device including a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs including marginal extensions positioned at the upper part of the base for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, and an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive upon telescopic movement of the frame and base toward each other, said base being in the form of a block having the lower part thereof exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device at all stages of the supply consumption and forming an exterior hand support or handle whereby the manifolding device may be supported in the hand during use, and a carbon strip supply compartment carried by said margin frame.

15. A manifolding device including a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, and an overlying ledge on said margin frame between which and said base the record supply is engaged and held captive upon telescopic movement of the frame and base toward each other, said base having an extension carried thereby and lying outside of said margin frame adjacent to the inscription opening thereof and providing a housing for a supply of transfer material.

16. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, and a margin frame having loose connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, said margin frame having side and end walls which together with said base provide a housing compartment for the record supply, said base having a pocket receiving one of the margin frame walls and having a carbon strip supply compartment positioned adjacent to the inscription opening of the margin frame.

17. A manifolding device, including, in com bination, a supporting base upon which a record supply may be supported, a margin frame having telescopic connection with said base so as to provide for relative movements between the frame and base, and cooperating lugs for limiting the telescopic movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said margin frame having an opening through which the record surface of the supply is presented for inscription reception, and a carbon strip supply compartment carried by said margin frame.

18. A manifolding device including, in combination, a supporting base upon which a zig-zag folded record supply may be supported, a margin frame having side and end walls and having an upper opening through which a record surface of said supply is exposed for inscription reception, said frame also having a lower opening in which said base is telescopically received, spaced ledges on said margin frame engaging and resting upon the opposite marginal folded portions of the zig-zag folded supply to releasably retain the folds thereof in position.

19. A manifolding device including, in combination, a lower supporting base upon which a record strip supply may be supported, an upper margin frame having connection with said base so as to provide for relative translatory movements between the margin frame and base, cooperating lugs for limiting the translatory movements of said base and margin frame away from each other, said base and margin frame having record strip supply engaging parts positioned for engagement with the supply for holding the latter in operative position by movement of said base and margin frame toward each other, a hand rest connected to said base and having a hand engaging surface exposed to the exterior of the manifolding device at all stages of consumption of the record supply whereby the record device may be held in the hand by engagement with said hand rest, thus causing the margin frame to gravitatively engage said record supply to retain the latter in position, said hand engaging supporting surface being elongated whereby the manifolding device and the base thereof are stabilized when held in the hand for inscription entry and for manual adjustment of the record strip.

WILLIAM E. MCINTOSH. 

